WEBVTT SEE, EVEN MAKE ARRESTS. 2016.IN THE MIDST OF A YEAR THATWOULD ULTIMATELY END WITH MORE400 SHOOTINGS AND 119 PEOPLEDEAD IN THE METRO, LOUISVILLEMADE THE MOVE TO INVEST IN SHOTSPOTTER TECHNOLOGY. THE PLAN? TO COVER SIX SQUARE MILES OF THEMETRO, USING MICROPHONES ANDSENSORS TO TRIANGULATE ALMOSTTHE EXACT SPOT WHERE SHOTS AREFIRED - ALERTING OFFICERS ANDSAVING INVESTIGATORS PRECIOUSTIME. IN SEPTEMBER OF THAT YEAR, LMPDCHIEF STEVE CONRAD PROMISED ITWOULD WORK. >> IT HAS LEAVING LED -- IT HASEVEN LED TO THE ARRESTS OFPEOPLE STILL THERE.LAUREN: ACCORDING TO POLICE,THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENEDAROUND 7:30 THURSDAY NIGHT INTHE RUSSELL NEIGHBORHOOD. 27-YEAR-OLD DOMINIQUE DENNINGHAD BEEN SHOT AND KILLED AT 28THAND ELLIOTT. LMPD FIRST DIVISION MAJOR ERICJOHNSON SAYS WHEN OFFICERSRECEIVED THE SHOT SPOTTER ALERT,ONE OF HIS GUYS WAS JUST BLOCKSAWAY>> SOMEONE POINTED OUT WHO THESUSPECT WAS.HE STILL HAD A GUN IN HIS HANDAND THE OFFICER WAS ABLE TOCONFRONT HIM.LAUREN: ON FRIDAY, MAJOR GREGFISCHER PRAISED THE CITY'S $1.25MILLION INVESTMENT, AND ITSCITIZENS. >> THIS ALLOWS US TO GET ON THESCENE QUICKLY.AND HELP LOCAL NEIGHBORS.LAUREN: IN FACT, SHOT SPOTTER --WHICH WORKS WITHIN 60 SECONDS --IS ALERTING OFFICERS TO ANAVERAGE OF 7 CALLS A DAY.AN INCREDIBLE TOOL TO FIGHTCRIME GIVEN LMPD SAYS 60% TO 80%OF GUNFIRE INCIDENTS ARE NEVEREVEN CALLED IN. >> WE TALKED TO OTHER CITIES AND

Last year ultimately ended with more than 400 shootings and 119 people dead in the Metro. In the midst of one of the most violent years in decades, the city promised to invest in Shot Spotter technology.

Covering six square miles of the Metro using microphones and sensors to triangulate almost the exact spot where shots are fired, the technology would alert officers within seconds and save investigators precious time.

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In late 2016, LMPD Chief Steve Conrad said he was confident the city's $1.25 million investment would pay off.

"In a few cases it's even led to the arrest of people that are still there, literally with a smoking gun," Chief Conrad had said.

According to police, that's exactly what happened around 7:30 Thursday night in the Russell neighborhood. Dominique Denning, 27, had been shot and killed at 28th Street and Elliott Avenue.

LMPD First Division Major Eric Johnson said when officers received the Shot Spotter alert, one of his guys was just blocks away.

"He got there and someone quickly pointed out who the suspect was. He still had a gun in his hand. The officer was able to confront him and take him into custody without incident so it worked out perfect," Johnson told WLKY.

Montrell Matthews, 34, now faces a murder charge.

On Friday, Mayor Greg Fischer praised the city's investment and its citizens.

"Shot Spotter alerted us to get on the scene quickly but we also had some calls from local neighbors as well so when you put those two together it's really effective in terms of fighting crime," Fischer said.

In fact, Shot Spotter, which works within 60 seconds, is alerting officers to an average of seven calls a day. It's an incredible tool to fight crime given LMPD says 60 to 80 percent of gunfire incidents are never even called in.

"We talked to other cities, we knew the success they had and we've seen that same thing here. It's worked out just as advertised," Major Johnson said.

The city's Shot Spotter technology is so advanced it can actually distinguish multiple shooters and even how many rounds were fired. Currently the sensors are in high crime areas but LMPD said early on if the technology was successful they would expand.